Du Doch Nicht!!
Ernst Udet’s Aircraft - Albatross D.V/Va, Fokker Dr.I, Fokker D.VII

Eduard, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by John Miller

Airfix's 1/72 scale Sea King is available online from Squadron.com

Ernst Udet (April, 26 1896 – November, 17 1941) was a German pilot during World War I and a Luftwaffe Colonel-General (Generaloberst) during World War II. Udet joined the Imperial German Air Service at age 19, eventually becoming a notable flying ace of World War I, scoring 62 confirmed victories by the end of his life.

The highest scoring German fighter pilot to survive that war, and the second-highest scoring after Manfred von Richthofen, his commander in the Flying Circus, Udet rose to become a squadron commander under Richthofen, and later under Hermann Göring. Udet spent the 1920s and early 1930s as a stunt pilot, international barnstormer, light aircraft manufacturer, and playboy.

In 1933, Udet joined the Nazi Party and became involved in the early development of the Luftwaffe, where he was appointed director of research and development. Influential in the adoption of dive bombing techniques as well as the Stuka dive bomber, by 1939 Udet had risen to the post of Director-General of Equipment for the Luftwaffe. The stress of the position and his distaste for administrative duties led to Udet developing alcoholism.

The launch of Operation Barbarossa, combined with issues with the Luftwaffe's needs for equipment outstripping Germany's production capacity and increasingly poor relations with the Nazi Party, caused Udet to commit suicide (pistol) on November 17, 1941.

(Edited from Wikipedia)

Upon opening the rather large box one is presented with a lot of styrene--a lot.

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The second thing one is impressed with is the size of the decal sheets, all three of them. The lozenge decals and rib tapes are just beautiful but I’m really getting ahead of myself. Since all three of these kits have been in production for a while there are a wealth of both “In-Box” and “Build” reviews available on-line. Suffice to say that all three kits build up into beautiful models especially when the color PE parts are used.

That being the case, this review will focus on the combination of kits, decals, and extra’s that are provided in this boxing.

In addition to the 3 kits, each with color PE, decals, and masks this boxing provides multiple, well-done items starting with the 1:1 replica of the Pour Le Mérite - the Blue Max - awarded to Udet in 1918.

Also included is a nice drawing of Udet with a side-view of one of his Fokker D.VII’s, and a reproduction of his signature suitable for framing.

A very nice addition is the well-rendered resin figure of Ernst Udet intended for the Fokker D.VII.

Aircraft I: Albatross D.V or D.Va

(~75 parts in grey styrene (not all are used), color PE, and masks) The kit provides markings for two D.V’s and one D.Va so you’ll have to decide which variant you want to complete.

Aircraft II: Fokker Dr.I

(~75 parts in grey styrene (not all are used), color PE, and masks)

Aircraft III: Fokker D.VII

(~100 parts grey styrene (not all are used), color PE, and masks)

Markings:

The decals, by Eduard, are superb.

These include markings for 2 Albatross D.V’s, 1 Albatross D.Va, 2 Fokker Dr.1s, and 2 Fokker D.VIIs. Colorful rib tapes along with a detailed placement guide are also provided.

Ernst Udet’s aircraft of WWI are covered as follows:

1. Albatross D.V., Jasta 37, Wasquehal airfield, France, July 1917.

2. Albatross D.V.,4476/17, Jasta 37, Phalempin airfield, France, September 1917.

3. Albatross D.Va., Jasta 37, Wynghenge airfield, France, late 1917/early 1918.

4. Fokker Dr.I, 586/17, Jasta 4, Airfield “Le Ferme Puisieux” near Laon, France, late May 1918.

5. Fokker Dr.I, 593/17, Jasta 4, Beugneux-Cramoiselles airfield, France, early June 1918.

6. Fokker D.VII (OAW), 20xx/18, Jasta 4, Beugneux-Cramoiselles airfield, France, June 1918. 

7. Fokker D.VII (OAW), 20xx/18, Jasta 4, Airfield “Le Ferme Puisieux” near Laon, France, August 1918. 

Okay, wowza! This is an awesome boxing: Well done, Mr. Eduard! With three top-notch styrene kits, color PE, masks, resin figure of Udet, and an awesome array of crisply printed, colorful decals to cover a similarly colorful selection of airframes, what’s not to like?

Highly Recommended!

For more on this review visit ModelPaintSolutions.com.

Review kit provided by my retirement fund, again.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2020 by John Miller
Page Created 21 April, 2020
Last updated 1 May, 2020

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